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Oil   Book'  of 
mmentary   Law 


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AND 

Question  Book 

OF 

PARLIAMENTARY  LAW 

SYSTEMATICALLY     ARRANGED     FOR     READY    REFERENCE 

IN     ALL     DELIBERATIVE     BODIES,     LODGES,     CLUBS, 

SOCIETIES,   UNIVERSITIES,  COLLEGES   AND   ALL 

ORGANIZATIONS     AND    CONVENTIONS. 


L.   C.   BETHEL 


''KNOW  FOR  THYSELF/ 

SIXTIETH   THOUSAND 

Price  25  cents 


Published  by  the  Author 

88  North  Ohio  Avenue 

Columbus,  Ohio 


Entered,  according-  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1892,  by 

L.   C.  BETHEL, 
In  the  office  of  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


j4LL  rights  reserved 


LATEST  REVISED  EDITION 


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PREFACE 


THERE  seems  to  be  a  general  desire  for 
a  handy  little  book  giving  a  clear  and 
concise  statement  of  the  many  difficult 
puiiits  of  parliamentary  usage.  We  believe  we 
have  succeeded  in  preparing  a  work  embracing 
these  and  other  valuable  features,  and  that  the 
expert  parliamentarian  and  the  novice  will  each 
iind  here  just  what  they  want.  The  ready  sale 
of  the  several  editions  of  the  book  'has  encour- 
aged us  to  hope  there  may  be  an  increasing  de- 
mand for  it. 

The  larger  manuals  are  sufficient  if  rightly 
understood,  but  for  many  they  need  to  be  sim- 
plified. We  have  attempted  to  make  the  study 
and  the  mastery  of  Parliamentary  Law  easy  for 
all.    To  simplify  has  been  the  aim. 

The  author's  experience  in  giving  public  drills 
has  demonstrated  that  asking  questions  and 
giving  brief  answers 'is  the  method  best  adapted 
to  get  the  most  difficult  points  clearly  before  the 
mind.  In  the  treatment  of  the  different  questions, 
we  have  carefully  followed  the  order  in  which 
they  stand  on  the  chart,  and  of  their  precedence 
in  usage.  The  book  is  so  arranged  as  to  be  easy 
of  reference  in  the  busy  moments  of  a  public 
assembly  by  a  little  previous  study.  In  its  pre- 
paration we  have  consulted  all  the  standard 
authorities. 

L.  C.  B. 


PAPMAMENTARY  LAW.  5 

Chart  of  Motions  iii  the  Order  of "tlieif  l^recedence 


PRIVILEGED  MOTIONS. 

Vote 

* To  fix  the  time  to  whicli  to  adjourn. .  .Maj. 

Und To    adjourn    Maj. 

Questions  of  privilege 
Und Orders  of  the  day Maj. 

INCIDENTAL  MOTIONS. 

Deb Appeals    ..Maj. 

^Und  ..Objections  to  considering  the  question % 

Und The  reading  of  papers Maj. 

Und Withdrawal    of   motions Maj. 

Und Suspension  of  Rules % 

SUBSIDIARY  MOTIONS. 

Und To  lay  on  the  table ^  ..  .Maj. 

Und The  previous  question % 

Deb To  postpone  to  a  certain  day Maj. 

Deb To  commit  (or  recommit) Maj. 

Deb To  amend   Maj. 

Deb To    postpone    indefinitely    ..Maj. 

PRINCIPAL    MOTION    OR    MAIN    QUESTION. 
Deb.  if  question  was  debatable.  .To  reconsider.  .Maj. 


•  Debatable    if    no    other    question    is   before 

the  house. 
Deb.      Debatable. 
Und.     Undebatable. 
Maj.      Majority. 
%         Two-thirds  vote. 


6  ^^    PARLIAME$rTi«^RY 'LAW. 

Chart  of  Undebatable  Ouestions 


To  fix   the  time  to   which   to   adjourn    (when   a 
privileged  motion) 

To  adjourn 

Orders    of   the   day 

Objection   to   the   consideration   of   a   question 

Lay  on   the  table  or  take  from   the  table 

Suspend  the  rules 

Previous  question 

Withdrawing  a  motion 

Reconsider   (if  the  question   Is  not  debatable) 


Chart  Showing  What  Requires  a  Two-Thirds  Vote 


The  previous  question 

To  make  a  special  order 

To  take  out  of  proper  order 

To  amend  the  rules 

To  object  to  consideration  of  question 

To  suspend  the  rules 

Limit  time  of  debate 

To  extend  time  of  debate 


X. 


GENERAL   DEFINITIONS. 

GENERAL  DEFINITIONS. 


What  is  meant  by  Privileged  Motions? 
Privileged  Motions  are  such  as  take  precedence 
of  all  other  questions. 

'  2.  What  is  meant  by  Incidental  Motions? 
Incidental  Motions  are  such  as  grow  out  of  other 
questions,  and  must  be  disposed  of  before  the 
questions  which  give  rise  to  them.  They  yield  to 
all  Privileged  Motions. 

3.  What  is  meant  by  Subsidiary  Motions? 
Subsidiary  Motions  are  such  as  aid  in  the  proper 
disposition  of  Main  Questions  without  adopting 
or  rejecting  them,  and  must  be  decided  before 
the  principal  question  can  be  acted  upon.  They 
yield  to  Privileged  and  Incidental  Motions. 

^  4.  What  is  meant  by  A  Principal  Motion?  A 
Principal  Motion  is  a  motion  to  bring  before  the 
house  a  subject  for  consideration. 

r^  5.  What  is  meant  by  Precedence?  By  Pre- 
cedence is  meant  the  superiority  of  one  motion 
over  another,  which  permits  it  to  be  presented 
when  another  motion  is  before  the  house.  For 
instance,  a  motion  of  lower  rank  is  pending,  ac- 
tion on  this  must  be  suspended  if  a  motion  of 
higher  rank  is  made.  The  lower  in  rank  yields 
to  the  higher. 

6.  What  is  meant  by  Quorum?  By  Quorum 
is  meant  enough  members  present  to  transact 
business. 


8  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

1.  What  is  meant  by  Parliamentary  Usage  f 
Laws  which  govern  deliberative  assemblies. 

2.  Where  did  we  get  Parliamentary  Usage? 
From  the  British  Parliament. 

3.  How  many  members  in  the  British  Parlia- 
ment? There  are  in  the  House  of  Lords  559 
members.  Business  can  be  transacted  if  three 
members  are  present.  There  are  in  the  House  of 
Commons  670  members,  and  40  constitute  a 
quorum. 

4.  How  many  members  in  the  U.  S.  Congress? 
There  are  531,  1913- 

5.  How  many  in  the  Senate?    96. 

6.  How  many  in  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives?   435. 

7.  Hoiv  many  constitute  a  quorum?  A  ma- 
jority of  either  house. 

8.  Who  is  President  of  the  U.  S.  Senate?  The 
Vice  President  of  the  United  States. 

9.  Who  is  Chairman  of  the  U.  S.  House  of 
Representatives?  The  Chairman  is  chosen  by  the 
House  and  is  called  the  "Speaker." 

10.  Has  the  President  of  the  Senate  the  same 
privilege  as  the  Chairman  of  the  House?  No; 
he  can  vote  only  when  there  is  a  tie,  because  he 
is  not  a  member. 


MISCELLANEOUS    QUESTIONS.  9 

11.  How  many  U.  S.  Senators  are  there  for 
each  State?    Two. 

12.  How  are  they  elected?  By  the  Legislature 
of  each  state  for  a  term  of  six  years. 

13.  Upon  what  bases  are  the  U.  S.  Representa- 
tives elected?  On  the  basis  of  one  for  every 
212,407  of  the  population.  ,  Census  of  1910. 
Elected  for  two  years. 

14.  J^Vhat  is  the  first  thing  to  do  in  an  as- 
sembly before  a  member  can  make  a  motion? 
Obtain  the  fioor. 

15.  Hozv  IS  this  done?  By  rising  and  address- 
ing the  Chair  by  saying,  "Mr.  Chairman"  or  "Mr. 
President,"  as  may  seem  best. 

16.  Has  the  member  the  floor  then?  Not  until 
recognized  by  the  Chair.  The  Chair  recognizes 
the  member  by  calling  his  name. 

17.  What  are  some  of  the  common  errors  in 
addressing  the  Chair?  "I  move  you,"  "I  move 
you  now,"  "I  move  the  Chair,"  "I  do  move  you 
now,"  "I  do  move,"  and  "I  make  a  motion." 

18.  What  is  the  correct  way?  Having  ob- 
tained the  floor,  simply  say,  "Mr.  Chairman,  I 
move  that,"  etc. 

19.  What  is  next  in  order?  State  your  motion 
in  a  voice  that  all  can  hear. 

20.  What  is  then  in  order?  Some  one  will  say, 
"Mr.   Chairman,  I  second  the  motion."     Do  not 


10  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

say  "I  sustain"  or  "support  the  motion,"  but  "I 
second  the  motion." 

21.  Is  it  necessary  for  the  one  who  seconds  a 
motion  to  wait  to  he  recognized  by  the  Chair? 
No.  Simply  say,  "Mr.  Chairman,  I  second  the 
motion." 

22.  The  motion,  made  and  seconded,  what 
next?  It  should  be  stated  by  the  Chair  before  it 
is  debated,  or  put  to  vote. 

2:;^.  The  motion  being  properly  stated  by  the 
Chair,  what  is  next  in  order?  If  it  is  a  debatable 
question,  the  Chair  will  call  for  remarks.  If  it 
is  an  undebatable  question,  the  Cliair  will  put  the 
question  at  once. 

24.  Should  questions  be  debated  zvithout  a 
motion?  No;  all  business  should  be  introduced 
by  a  motion  or  presenting  a  communication.  It 
is  very  wrong  to  dissipate  the  time  in  needless 
discussion  when  there  is  no  motion  before  the 
house.  When  a  question  is  properly  before  the 
house,  it  may  be  debated  if  it  is  a  debatable 
question.  A  member  must  obtain  the  floor  for 
debate  in  the  same  manner  he  would  secure  it  to 
make  a  motion. 

25.  The  Chair  should  give  the  floor  to  the 
member  whose  voice  he  first  hears,  if  two  or 
more  address  the  Chair  at  the  same  time. 

26.  Can  a  member  make  a  motion  while  an- 
other has  the  floor?    No. 


MISCELLANEOUS    QUESTIONS.  11 

2"].  Hozv  many  times  can  a  person  speak  to 
a  question?  Only  once,  until  all  who  desire  to 
speak  have  spoken. 

28.  The  call  of  "Question"  does  no't  compel 
the  Chair  to  take  the  vote  if  there  are  others 
who  desire  to  speak  to  the  question. 

29.  After  the  floor  has  been  assigned  to  a 
member  he  cannot  be  interrupted  by  a  call  for 
the  "Question,"  or  by  a  motion  to  adjourn,  or 
for  any  purpose  by  either  the  Chair  or  any  mem- 
ber, if  he  is  in  order,  except  to  have  entered 
on  the  minutes  "a  motion  to  reconsider,"  and 
accept  "a  call  for  the  orders  of  the  day,"  or  "a 
question   of   privilege." 

30.  It  is  customary  at  the  beginning  of  a  ses- 
sion to  li}nit  the  time  of  a  speaker.  The  time 
may  afterwards  be  extended  by  consent  or  by 
two-thirds  vote  of  the  assembly. 

:i,i.  Can  a  maker  of  a  ^notion  vote  against  his 
own  motion?     Yes;  but  he  cannot  speak  against 

it. 

"^  2i2.  The  Chair  in  giving  his  decision  should 
say,  "The  Chair  decides"  so  and  so,  and  not  say, 
"I  decide." 

2,2>'  The  Secretary  should  stand  while  reading 
the  minutes,  etc. 

34.  What  is  meant  by  "Questions  of  Privi- 
lege?"    Privileges  and  rights  of  the  members  of 


12  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

the  assembly,  usually  something  needing  imme- 
diate attention. 
^^  35.  What  are  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
debate?  The  leader  has  the  right  to  open  and 
close  the  debate.  If  it  is  a  paper  under  discus- 
sion, the  author  of  it  shou'ld  have  the  right  to 
open  and  close  the  discussion. 

^6,  What  is  meant  by  a  ''Majority"  Vote?  It 
is  more  than  half  of  the  whole  number  of  votes 
cast,  or  it  is  the  excess  of  votes  received  by 
the  successful  candidate  over  the  sum  of  all  the 
votes  cast   for  competing  candidates. 

Z7.  What  is  meant  by  a  ''Plurality"  of  votes? 
It  is  the  excess  of  votes  received  by  the  success- 
ful candidate  oyer  those  cast  for  the  competing 
candidate  haying  the  next  highest  number  of 
votes. 

38.  Can  an  election  to  office  once  decided  be 
reconsidered?    No. 

39.  When  is  a  meeting  properly  adjourned? 
Not  until  a  vote  has  been  taken,  and  the  result 
announced  by  the  Chair. 

40.  What  is  the  difference  between  "Privileged 
Motions"  and  "Questions  of  Privilege?"  See 
pages  27,  29. 

41.  What  should  be  done  if  the  .  Chair  re- 
fuses to  put  a  motion  properly  made?  See  ap- 
peals, page  z^'  Also  "Life  of  John  Quincy 
Adams,"  by  W.  H.  Seward,  page  297. 


MISCELLANEOUS    QUESTIONS.  13 

^    42.    Is  the  Chair  compelled  to  vote?    No. 

43.  A  member  who  yields  the  floor  loses  the 
right  to  it,  until  the  rest  have  spoken. 

44.  When  anyone  having  the  floor  is  inter- 
rupted he  does  not  lose  the  right  to  the  floor,  but 
may  resume  it  when  that  which  interruped  him 
is  settled. 

"^  45.  What  vote  does  it  take  to  expunge  from 
the  minutes?  A  unanimous  vote.  For  instance, 
action  has  been  taken  reflecting  upon  some  mern- 
ber,  and  it  is  afterwards  desired  to  expunge  it 
from  ^he  minutes.  This  cannot  be  done  iione 
votes  against  it.    The  action  must  stand. 

46.     Can  a  vote  by  ballot  be  reconsidered?  No ; 
but  it  can  be  thrown  out  if  found  irregular. 
A    47.     What    is    meant    by    ''General    Consent?" 
When  an  assembly  gives  General  Consent  that  is 
the  same  as  a  unanimous  vote. 


14  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

ORGANIZATION. 

1.  A  Permanent  Society. — i.  When  a  society 
is  to  be  organized  a  meeting  is  called.  At  the 
time  appointed,  some  person  will  rise  and  say : 
"The  house  will  please  come  to  order."  He  then 
calls  for  nominations  for  Temporary  Chairman. 
A  name  or  names  are  offered  and  voted  on.  If 
no  one  receives  a  majority  of  votes,  the  vote  is 
again  taken  until  one  is  elected.  When  elected 
he  at  once  takes  the  chair,  and  proceeds  in  the 
same  manner  to  complete  the  temporary  organi- 
zation. The  next  thing  in  order  is  to  state  the 
object  of  the  meeting.  This  is  done  either  by 
the  chair  or  some  one  else.  After  discussion,  or 
a  sufficient  time  has  been  given  the  question, 
some  one  will  rise,  addressing  the  chair,  and 
move  that  such  an  organization  be  formed.  If 
this  is  carried  by  a  majority  vote  it  is  then  in 

order  to  move  that  a  committee  of be  formed 

to  draft  a  Constitution  and  By-Laws.  If  this  is 
carried,  the  committee  is  either  appointed  by  the 
Chair  or  elected  by  the  house  as  decided  by  the 
majority  vote  (see  committees).  This  committee 
reports  at  the  next  meeting.  If  there  is  no  other 
business  after  the  time  and  place  has  been  ar- 
ranged for  the  next  meeting,  the  motion  to  ad- 
journ is  in  order. 

2.  Second  Meeting. — i.  At  the  second  meet- 
ing the  temporary  officers  serve  until  the  consti- 


ORGANIZATION.  15 

tution  is  adopted  and  the  permanent  officers  are 
elected.  After  the  meeting  has  been  called  to 
order  the  Chairman  should  call  on  the  Secretary 
to  read  the  minutes.  If  there  are  no  corrections 
the  minutes  stand  approved.  The  Committee  on 
Constitution  and  By-Laws  then  make  their  re- 
port. After  this  has  been  adopted  the  Chairman 
gives  an  opportunity  for  those  desiring  to  be- 
come members  to  sign  it,  and  pay  their  initiation 
fees  if  required  by  the  Constitution.  Only  those 
signing  the  Constitution  are  aillowed  to  vote.  The 
permanent  officers  are  then  elected  and  take  their 
places.  For  electing  officers  and  adopting  the 
Constitution,  see  Election  of .  Officers  and  Com- 
mittees. 

2.  If  the  organization  is  auxiliary  to  some 
other  society  it  adopts  the  Constitution  or  Rules 
prescribed  by  such  society  and  then  elects  perma- 
nent officers.  Committees,  Boards  of  Trustees, 
Executive  Boards  are  all  subject  to  the  body 
that  created  the  office. 

3.  The  Constitution  should  specify  the  object 
of  the  society,  and  qualification  of  members, 
duties  of  officers  and  their  elections.  The  By- 
Laws  should  contain  such  matters  of  importance 
as  time  of  meeting,  place,  etc. 

4.  To  amend  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws 
requires  previous  notice,  and  a  two-thirds  vote. 


16  PARLIAMENTARY   LAW. 

1.     Order  of  Business: 

Opening  exercises 
Reading  of  minutes 
Unfinished  business 
Reports  of  committees 
New  business 
Miscellaneous  business 
Adjournment 

1.  Delegate  Meeting  or  Convention.  —  i. 
Where  delegates  are  elected  or  appointed  to 
represent  other  societies  the  delegates  are  fur- 
nished with  credentials  from  the  society  they  .; 
represent,  signed  by  the  President  and  Secretary. 
Ex-officio  members  of  a  convention  need  no 
credentials. 

2.  If  it  is  not  a  regularly  organized  conven- 
tion the  convention  should  first  elect  temporary 
officers.  After  which  committees  such  as  a 
Committee  on  Permanent  Organization,  a  Com- 
mittee on  Platform  or  Constitution,  a  Committee 
on  Credentials  and  a  Committee  on  Rules  and 
Order  of  Business. 

3.  In  a  Delegated  Convention  no  business  of 
importance  should  be  transacted  lentil  the  Cre- 
dential Committee  has  reported,  and  their  report 
is  amended,  if  necessary,  and  adopted.  This  is 
not  a  small  matter  when  there  are  delegates  con- 
testing seats. 

4.  Contesting  Seats. — When  there  are  two  or 
more  contesting  seats  they  may  be  heard  in  their 


ORGANIZATION.  17 

own  behalf,  and  then  should  withdraw  from 
the  body,  taking  no  further  part  until  the  matter 
is  decided  by  a  majority  vote. 

5.  As  soon  as  the  Committee  on  Permanent 
Organization  has  reported,  and  the  vote  is  taken, 
the  permanent  officers  should  take  their  respec- 
tive places. 

6.  The  temporary  organization  may  be  made 
the  permanent  organization,  or  another  set  of 
officers  may  be  elected. 

7.  In  a  large  assembly  it  is  necessary  some- 
times to  appoint  a  Sergeant-at-Arms  to  assist  in 
maintaining  order  and  enforcing  the  rules. 

8.  Also,  Pages  are  appointed  to  wait  on  the 
members,  distribute  blanks,  carry  necessary 
messages,  etc. 

/  9.  If  it  is  a  regular  organized  convention  with 
permanent  officers  already  elected,  upon  taking 
the  Chair  the  Presiding  Officer  should  say,  "The 

Annual    Convention    is   now    open    for   the 

transaction  of  business." 

10.  One  of  the  first  acts  of  a  deliberative 
body  should  be  to  adopt  a  programme,  which 
then  becomes  the  "Orders  of  the  Day."  If  by 
this  adopted  programme  the  hour  has  been  fixed 
for  adjourning  the  meeting,  then  at  the  specified 
time  the  Chair  will  say:  "The  time  for  adjourn- 
ment has  arrived,"  and  if  no  motion  is  made  to 
extend  the  time  he  declares  the  meeting  ad- 
journed. 


18  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

2.  President. — i.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Presi- 
dent to  preside  at  the  meetings,  to  announce  the 
business,  to  preserve  order,  to  put  motions  to 
vote,  and  to  announce  the  result.  Also  to  see 
that  the  rules  of  the  body  and  of  parliamentary 
usage  are  observed. 

2.  If  he  wishes  to  vacate  the  chair  for  a 
time  he  may  appoint  some  one  as  Chairman 
pro  tem. 

3.  The  Chairman  cannot  make  or  second 
motions.  Wben  a  motion  is  made  relating  to 
the  Chair  it  is  customary  for  the  mover  or  Sec- 
retary to  put  the  motion  to  vote. 

4.  He  should  decide  all  points  of  order  sub- 
ject to  appeals. 

He  should  stand  when  stating  a  question  and 
taking  a  vote. 

He  should  not  interrupt  a  speaker  when  he  is 
in  order. 

When  making  decisions  he  should  not  use  the 
pronoun  I,  but  always  "the  Chair  decides,"  etc. 
He  should  always  after  the  motion  has  been 
made  and  seconded  state  the  question.  He  should 
so  well  understand  parliamentary  law  and  the 
rules  of  the  organization  that  he  can  preside 
with  grace,  ease  and  dignity.  He  should  preside 
impartially.     He  should  open  the  meeting  at  the 


DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS.  19 

time    appointed    providing    there    is    a    quorum 
present. 

3.  Vice  President. — i.  It  is  the  duty  of  the 
Vice  President  to  preside  in  the  absence  of  the 
President.  Pie  has  all  the  powers  and  respon- 
sibilities of  the  President  while  he  is  in  the  chair. 

2.  In  the  absence  of  the  President  and  Vice 
President  a  Chairman  pro  tern  is  elected. 

4.  Recording  Secretary. — i.  The  duty  of 
the  Recording  Secretary  is  to  keep  a  record  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  meeting,  which  record  is 
called  the  minutes.  The  Secretary  should  keep 
such  a  record  as  will  enable  any  intelligent  per- 
son to  understand  fully  the  nature  and  doings 
of  the  meeting. 

2.  He  should  record  in  the  minutes  all  prin- 
cipal motions  whether  carried  or  lost,  unless 
otherwise  instructed.  It  is  often  as  important  to 
know  what  measures  were  introduced  and  lost 
as  what  measures  were  carried.  He  should  re- 
cord not  so  much  what  is  said  as  what  is  done, 
what  is  decided  by  vote.  The  name  of  the  per- 
son making  a  motion  should  be  recorded  on  the 
minutes  with  the  motion. 

3.  In  the  absence  of  the  presiding  officers  the 
Secretary  should  call  the  meeting  to  order  and 
have  a  Chairman  pro  tern  elected. 


20  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

4.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Recording  Secretary 
to  read  papers,  etc.,  that  are  called  up,  to  call 
the  roll,  and  note  those  absent,  to  caM  the  roll 
when  the  yeas  and  nays  are  taken,  to  notify  com- 
mittees of  their  appointment  and  the  business  re- 
ferred to  them.  Where  it  is  the  rule  of  the  so- 
ciety he  should  collect  all  moneys  due  the  society, 
paying  them  over  to  the  treasurer,  taking  his 
receipt  therefor. 

5.  He  has  the  custody  of  all  papers  and  offi- 
cial documents  belonging  to  the  society,  unless 
some  other  person  is  designated  for  that  pur- 
pose. The  minutes  should  always  be  signed  by 
the  one  recording  them. 

5.  Corresponding    Secretary. — i.      It    is    the 

duty  of  the  Corresponding  Secretary  to  do  the 
corresponding  for  the  society,  such  as  sending 
out  blanks  for  reports,  etc. 

6.  Treasurer. — i.  The  duty  of  the  Treasurer 
is  to  receive  all  moneys,  and  keep  accurate  ac- 
count of  all  receipts  and  expenditures,  and  re- 
port the  same  to  the  society. 

2.  He  should  pay  out  money  only,  on  the  order 
of  the  society,  signed  by  the  President  and  Sec- 
retary, being  careful  to  secure  a  receipt  for  the 
same. 

3.  All  money  should  pass  through  the  Treas- 
urer's  hands. 


DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS.  21 

The.  Treasurer's  books  should  be  audited  by 
the  auditing  committee  as  specified  by  the  so- 
ciety, at  least  once  a  year  when  the  books  are 
closed.  Said  committee  to  report  before  the 
treasurer's  report  is  voted  on. 

They  should  then  sign  the  treasurer's  report 
showing  the  correctness  thereof  to  this  effect, 
signing  something  like  this :  "We  do  hereby  cer- 
tify that  we  have  this  day  examined  the  accounts 
and  vouchers  of  the  treasurer  and  find  them 
correct ;    and    that    the   balance    in    his    hands    is 

stating  the  sum. 

Signed, 


Auditing  Committee. 

7.  Auditing  Committee. — i.  It  is  the  duty 
of  the  Auditing  Committee  to  audit  the  accounts 
of  the  Treasurer.  They  should  examine  all 
vouchers,  books,  papers,  etc.,  held  by  the  Treas- 
urer, and  report  the  same  to  the  society. 


22  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

8.  The  Main  Question. — i.  What  is  meant 
by  the  Principal  or  Original  Motion?  By  this  is 
meant  those  motions  or  questions  introduced  for 
consideration  when  no  other  business  is  before 
the  house. 

2.  Should  all  Principal  motions  he  seconded? 
Yes.  We  second  motions  to  show  that  some  one 
else  also  wants  the  subject  presented. 

3.  Can  a  Principal  Motion  be  made  when  an- 
other motion  is  before  the  house?    No. 

4.  When  does  a  question  belong  to  the  house 
for  debate?  Not  until  it  is  seconded  and  stated 
by  the  Chair. 

5.  The  Chair  can  call  that  motions  or  resolu- 
tions shall  be  submitted  in  writing,  and  handed 
to  the  Secretary. 

6.  To  what  does  the  Main  or  Principal  ques- 
tion yield?  To  all  Privileged,  Incidental  and 
Subsidiary  Motions. 

9.  Division  of  a  Motion. — i.  What  is  meant 
by  a  division  of  a  motion?  If  the  motion  is  long 
or  a  double  motion  any  one  can  "m'ove  to  divide 
the  motion,"  if  this  is  carried 'by  a  majority  vote 
the  motion  is  divided  and  each  division  treated  as 
an  independent  proposition.  This  motion  is  in 
order  even  after  the  prevous  question  has  been 
called. 


MISCELLANEOUS    QUESTIONS.  23 

10.  Voting  on  Questions. — i.  Should  the 
Chairman  always  call  for  the  negative  vote? 
There  are  instances  when  it  is  not  courteous  to 
call  for  the  negative  vote.  Such  will  usually  sug- 
gest themselves  to  a  good  presiding  officer.  For 
instance,  a  vote  of  thanks,  courtesies,  etc. 

11.  Contesting  Floor.  —  i.  When  two  or 
more  rise  and  address  the  Chair  at  the  same 
time,  the  Chair  shall  decide  between  them.  But 
any  member  may  name  the  one  he  thinks  is  en- 
titled  to    the    floor.      The    Chair    then    takes    the 

.  vote,   first,   as   to   the  person   he   has    recognized, 
and  if  the  majority  is  against  him,  he  will  take 
the  vote  as  to  the  one  next  named,  without  de- 
X     bate. 

12.  Recess. — i.     What  is  meant  by  the  motion 
V     for  a  recess f     That  the   assembly  take  a  recess 

for  a  limited  time  during  a  session  or  meeting. 
This  motion  is  disposed  of  by  a  majority  vote. 

13.  Renewing  a  Motion.  —  i.  How  may  a 
motion  be  renewed?  No  Principal  Motion  or 
amendment,  having  been  acted  upon,  except  a 
motion  to  adjourn,  can  be  taken- up  again  at  the 
same  session,  unless  by  a  motion  to  reconsider. 

2.  A  motion  to  adjourn  can  be  renewed  if 
business  or  debate  has  intervened.  A  motion  to 
Suspend  the  Rules  having  been  made  cannot  be 
renewed  at  that  meeting  for  the  same  purpose. 
Generally,    when    a    motion    alters    the    state    of 


24  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

« 

affairs,  it  is  admissible  to  renew  any  Privileged, 
Incidental  or  Subsidiary  Motion,  excepting  a 
motion  to  Amend,  for  the  Orders  of  the  Day,  or 
for  Suspension  of  the  Rules. 

3.  A  motion  which  has  been  withdrawn,  has 
not  been  acted  upon,  and  hence  can  be  renewed. 
r^  14.  A  Session. — i.  What  is  meant  by  a  Ses- 
sion f  In  Congress  the  time  from  the  beginning 
to  the  close  of  one  term  is  called  a  session.  A 
meeting  covers  only  the  time  from  an  assembling 
to  an  adjournment,  and  may  be  called  many 
times  during  a  session ;  but  a  session  may  be . 
composed  of  one  or  many  meetings. 

15.  A  Quorum. — i.  What  is  a  Quorum  f  By 
quorum  is  meant  enough  members  present  to 
transact  business.  The  rules  of  a  body  should 
fix  the  number,  unless  it  is  already  fixed  by  law. 
When  the  number  is  not  specified  a  majority  of 
all  the  members  of  the  organization  constitute  a 
quorum. 

2.  In  a  meeting  when  a  quorum  is  present 
and  business  is  being  transacted  is  it  necessary 
for  a  quorum  to  vote  to  dispose  of  the  Question f 
No.  If  a  quorum  is  present  the  business  is  dis- 
posed of  by  the  majority  of  those  who  vote 
whether  a  quorum  votes  or  not.  Such  has  been 
the  decision  of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court. 
Members  who  do  not  vote,  by  their  silence  are 
regarded  as  consenting  to  the  result. 


■v^ 


MISCELLANEOUS    QUESTIONS.  25 

3.  In  making  up  a  quorum  persons  present 
and  not  voting  should  be  counted. 

4.  Can  business  he  transacted  if  a  quorum  is 
not  present?  No,  and  only  the  motion  to  ad- 
journ can  be  made. 

16.  Informal  Consideration  of  a  Question. 

— I.  What  is  meant  by  the  Informal  Considera- 
tion of  a  Question?  Sometimes  a  communication 
is  read,  a  resolution  offered  or  a  member  pre- 
sents a  subject  which  the  assembly  is  not  ready 
to  have  come  in  the  form  of  a  motion.  It  would 
be  in  order  for  some  one  to  move  "an  informal 
consideration  of  the  question."  If  this  is  carried 
by  a  majority  vote  the  question  is  informally 
considered  and  after  discussion  the  question  may 
be  disposed  of  by  motion  the  same  as  any  other 
question. 

17.  Minutes. — i.  It  is  necessary  to  vote  on 
the  minutes?  No;  after  the  reading  of  the  min- 
utes the  Chair  will  say,  "Are  there  any  correc- 
tions?" If  there  are  any,  they  are  made  at 
once.  The  Chair  will  say,  "If  there  are  no  cor- 
rections to  the  minutes  they  stand  approved." 

2.  Is  it  necessary  to  move  to  reconsider  the 
minutes  to  correct  them?  No.  They  can  be 
corrected  any  number  of  times. 

3.  What  vote  does  it  take  to  expunge  from 
the  minutes?    A  unanimous  vote, 


26  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

4.  Should  amendments  to  the  minutes  be 
voted  on?    Yes. 

5.  At  the  close  of  a  session  when  several 
meetings  have  been  held  any  minutes  not  having 
been  acted  on  should  be  read  and  corrected  be- 
fore the  final  adjournment. 

18.  An  Ex-Officio  Member. — i.  What  is  an 
ex-officio  member?  An  ex-officio  member  of  a 
convention,  board  or  committee,  is  one  who  is  a 
member  by  virtue  of  the  office  he  holds.  The 
President  is  not  a  member  of  any  committee  by 
virtue  of  his  office  unless  the"  Constitution  makes 
such  provision.  An  ex-officio  member  has  the 
same  privileges  and  rights  as  a  regular  member 
unless  the  Constitution  makes  it  otherwise. 


PRIVILEGED    MOTIONS.  27 

PRIVILEGED  MOTIONS. 

What  are  Privileged  Motions?  Privileged  mo- 
tions are  such  as  take  precedence  of  all  other 
questions. 

These  divisions  are  treated  in  the  order  in 
which  they  appear  on  the  chart,  page  6. 

i-^     19.     To  Fix  the  Time  to  which  to  Adjourn. 

— I.  What  motion  is  the  highest  in  rank?  To 
fix  the  time  to  which  to  adjourn  is  the  highest 
in  rank,  and  takes  precedence  of  all  other  mo- 
tions. 

2.  What  is  the  object?  The  'object  is  to  de- 
termine when  the  meeting  shall  again  convene. 

3.  What  is  the  form?  The  form  is,  "I  move 
that  when  we  adjourn,  we  adjourn  to  meet," 
stating  the  time. 

4.  When  can  this  motion  he  made?  It  may 
be  made  at  any  time,  even  after  the  vote  has 
been  taken  to  adjourn,  if  the  vote  on  the  motion 
to  adjourn  Ras  not  been  announced  by  the  Chair. 

5.  Can  it  he  dehated?  If  made  when  a  ques- 
tion is  before  the  house  it  is  undehatahle.  If 
there  is  no  question  before  the  house  it  becomes 
a  Principal  Motion  and  can  be  debated. 

6.  Can  it  he  amended?  Only  as  to  changing 
the  time. 

7.  Can  it  he  reconsidered?    Yes. 


28  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

8.  What  vote  does  it  take  to  carry  it?  A 
majority. 

20.  Adjournment. — i.  When  is  the  motion 
to  adjourn  not  in  order?  While  a  member  has 
the  floor,  while  the  yeas  and  nays  are  being 
called,  while  the  members  are  voting  on  any 
question,  or  when  the  Previous  Question  has 
been  called  and  is  still  pending. 

2.  What  is  the  form?  "I  move  that  we  ad- 
journ." 

3.  What  is  its  relation  to  other  Questions? 
The  motion  to  adjourn  (when -unqualified)  takes 
precedence  of  all  other  questions  except  "To  fix 
the  time  to  which  to  adjourn." 

4.  Is  it  debatable?  The  unqualified  motion  to 
adjourn  is  not  debatable,  but  when  qualified  it 
loses  its  privileged  character,  and  stands  as  any 
other  principal  motion. 

5.  Can  it  be  amended?  No;  neither  can  it 
have  any  other  subsidiary  motion  applied  to  it, 
nor  can  it  be  reconsidered.  , 

6.  When  can  it  be  renewed?  It  cannot  be 
renewed  until  some  business  has  been  trans- 
acted, or  some  one  has  spoken. 

7.  What  vote  is  necessary  to  adjourn?  A 
majority. 

8.  What  becomes  of  unfinished  business  inter- 
rupted by  an  adjournment?    If  it  does  not  close 


PRIVILEGED    MOTIONS.  29 

the  sessrotru  is  the  first  in  order  after  reading 
the,  minutes    of    the    next    meeting,    and    stands 
^^'t)efore   the   house   just   as    it   did   when   the   ad- 
journment was  made. 

^^  9.  What  is  meant  by  the  motion  to  adjourn 
sine  die?  If  the  assembly  is  one  that  is  dis- 
solved at  the  close  of  the  meeting  it  is  in  order 
to  ''move  we  adjourn  sine  die." 

21.  Questions  of  Privilege.  —  i.  What  is 
meant  by  "Questions  or  Privilege  f  Privileges 
and  rigiits  of  members  of  an  assembly.  Usually 
something  that  needs  immediate  attention,  such 
as  the  reading  or  sending  of  telegrams,  or 
making  an  inquiry  concerning  a  person  who  is 
wanted,  etc.,  w^hich  may  be  done  even  while  a 
member  is  speaking. 

2.  What  is  the  form?  The  form  is,  "I  rise  to 
a  question  of  privilege ;"  the  Chair  will  then  say, 
"State  your  question."  After  the  question  is 
stated  the  Chair  decides  whether  or  not  it  be  a 
Question  of  Privilege;  which  decision  is  subject 
to  an  appeal. 

3.  Must  it  be  disposed  of  at  once?  Final  ac- 
tion on  it  need  not  be  taken  at  once.  It  may  be 
disposed  of  by  placing  on  the  table,  by  referring 
to  a  committee,  or  it  may  have  any  other  sub- 
sidiary motion  applied  to  it.     After  it  has  been 


J:^ 


30  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

acted  upon  the  meeting  proceeds  with  the  inter- 
rupted business. 

22.  Orders  of  the  Day. — i.  What  is  meant 
by  the  ''Orders  of  the  Day?"  When  one  or  more 
subjects  have  been  assigned  to  a  certain  day  or 
hour  they  become  the  "Orders  of  the  Day."  If 
it  is  a  regular  organized  convention  and  the  pro- 
gramme has  been  arranged  by  the  officers  or  a 
committee  at  the  opening  of  the  first  meeting,  it 
would  be  in  order  for  some  one  to  move  ''that 
the  programme  become  the  "Orders  of  the  Day." 
Any  changes  may  be  made  at  that  time  and  the 
programme  adopted  as  the  Orders  of  the  Day 
by  a  majority  vote. 

2.  How  may  the  Orders  of  the  Day  he  called? 
If  other  business  has  interfered  with  the  pro- 
gramme or  when  the  time  arrives  for  the  Orders 
of  the  Day,  any  one  may  rise  and  say,  "Mr. 
Chairman,  I  call  for  the  Orders  of  the  Day." 
(This  does  not  require  a  second.)  The  Chair 
will  say,  "The  Orders  of  the  Day  have  been 
called  for,  are  there  any  objections?"  If  no  one 
objects  they  are  taken  up  at  once.  But  if  an 
objection  is  made  the  Chair  will  take  the  vote. 
If  the  vote  is  in  the  affirmative  the  current  busi- 
ness is  suspended  and  programme  adhered  to.  If 
the  vote^  is  in  the  negative,  the  Orders  of  the 
Day  are  postponed  only  until  the  business  before 
the  meeting  is  transacted. 


PRIVILEGED    MOTIONS.  31 

3.  How  are  the  Orders  of  the  Day  classified? 
They  are  General  and  Special.  General  Orders 
can  be  called  by  a  majority.  To  make  a  Special 
Order,  or  to  take  out  of  order,  requires  a  two- 
thirds  vote. 

4.  What  is  meant  by  General  Orders?  The 
regular  adopted  programme  or  business. 

5.  What  is  meant  by  a  Special  Order,  and  to 
take  up  Out  of  Order?  Some  business  voted  to 
be  made  the  special  order  for  a  certain  time,  and 
everything  yields  to  the  qestion  coming  up  at 
that  time.  To  take  up  Out  of  Order  means  to 
take  up  any  part  of  the  programme  out  of  the 
regular  order.  Both  of  the  above  requires  a 
two-thirds  vote. 

6.  To  what  do  the  Orders  of  the  Day  yield? 
When  the  hour  arrives  for  the  Orders  assigned 
they  take  precedence  of  everything  except,  "To 
fix  the  time  to  which  to  adjourn/'  "To  adjourn," 
"Questions  of  Privilege,"  and  "To  reconsider." 
To  these  they  yield. 

7.  Can  a  call  for  the  Orders  of  the  Day  be 
debated?    It  cannot. 


32  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

INCIDENTAL  MOTIONS. 

What  is  meant  by  Incidental  Motions f  Inci- 
dental Motions  are  such  as  grow  out  of  other 
questions,  and  must  be  disposed  of  before  the 
questions  which  give  rise  to  them.  They  yield  to 
all  Privileged  Motions. 

23.  Appeals. — i.  What  is  meant  by  Appeal? 
If  a  member  notices  anything  in  the  procedure 
of  the  meeting  which  he  thinks  is  out  of  order, 
or  some  one  is  not  speaking  to  the  question,  he, 
addressing  the  Chair,  may  say,  "I  rise  to  a  point 
of  order."  The  person  called  to  order  will  cease 
speaking,  and  the  Chair  will  say,  "State  your 
point  of  order,"  which  he  does,  and  the  Chair 
decides  whether  the  point  is,  or  is  not,  well 
taken.  If  the  member  or  any  one  else  is  not 
satisfied  with  the  decision  of  the  Chair,  he  may 
rise  and  say,  '1  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the 
Chair."  This  being  seconded,  the  Chair  gives 
his  reason  for  his  decision,  and  says,  "Shall  the 
decision  of  the  Chair  be  sustained?  If  a  ma- 
jority vote  in  the  affirmative  the  Chair  is  sus- 
tained. If  the  vote  is  a  tie  the  Chair  is  sustained, 
since,  in  a  tie  the  Chair  can  vote. 

2.  //  an  appeal  is  laid  on  the  table  is  the  de- 
cision of  the  Chair  sustained?     Yes. 

3.  What  can  be  done  if  the  Chair  refuses  to 
put  a  motion  properly  made?  Any  one  can 
"Appeal    from    the    decision^  of    the    Chair,"    the 


INCIDENTAL    MOTIONS.  33 

Chair  having  decided  against  the  motion  by  re- 
fusing to  put  it.  If  the  Chair  refuses  to  put  the 
appeal  to  vote,  the  person  appealing  may  put  it 
himself.  See  Miscellaneous  Questions,  No.  41, 
Page  12.  Or  if  the  Chair  refuses  to  put  the 
motion  the  mover  may  put  it  to  the  house,  or  the 
body  may  declare  the  Chair  vacant  and  elect 
another  Chairman. 
'   4.     Can  an  appeal  be  reconsidered  f     Yes. 

5.  Is  an  appeal  debatable f  Yes;  if  it  does 
not  relate  to  indecorum,  or  violation  of  the  rules 
of, speaking,  or  if  the  previous  question  v^as  not 
pending  at  the  time  the  appeal  was  made. 

6.  To  what  do  appeals  yield  f  To  all  "Privi- 
leged Questions." 

24.  Objection  to  the  Consideration  of  a 
Question. — i.  What  is  the  object  of  ''Objecting 
to  the  consideration  of  a  question f''  It  is  to 
prevent  the  subject  from  being  considered,  so 
that  when  a  motion  is  made  that  seems  un- 
profitable, out  of  place  or  contentious,  any  one 
as  soon  as  the  question  is  presented,  may  rise 
and  say,  "Mr.  Chairman,  I  object  to  the  consid- 
eration of  the  question."  This  objection  does 
not  require  a  second,  and  the  Chair  will  say, 
"Will  the  assembly  consider  the  question?"  If 
there  is  a  two-thirds  negative  vote  the  question 
is  not  considered  and  cannot  be  brought  up  again 
'during  that  session. 


34  PARLIAMENTARY   LAW. 

2.  When  must  this  objection  be  made?  It  can 
be  made  before  or  after  the  question  is  stated 
by  the  Chair,  and  it-  must  be  made  before  the 
question  has  been  debated. 

3.  Does  an  objection  require  a  second?    No. 

4.  Can  an  objection  be  amended  or  debated? 
No ;  nor  can  it  have  any  subsidiary  motion  ap- 
plied to  it.  An  objection  to  the  consideration  of 
a  question  can  be  made  to  any  principal  motion. 

5.  Why  should  objections  be  made?  To  keep 
out  of  the  meeting  any  improper  or  unprofitable 
questions,. and  to  prevent  their  being  debated. 

25.  Reading  of  Papers.  —  i.  How  often 
should  a  paper  be  read  before  a  vote?  Each  and 
every  member  has  the  right  to  hear  a  paper  read 
before  voting  upon  it. 

2.  What  is  the  duty  of  the  Chair?  When  a 
member  asks  for  the  reading  of  any  paper  for 
information  the  Chair  shall  direct  it  to  be  read 
or  re-read,  if  there  are  no  objections.  If  any 
one  objects  to  the  call  for  the  reading,  the  vote 
shall  be  taken  without  debate  or  amendment  and 
decided  by  a  majority  vote. 

26.  Withdrawal  of  a  Motion.-^i.  When  a 
motion  has  been  made  and  the  mover  does  not 
ivant  it  to  go  to  vote,  what  can  he  do?  With- 
draw it  with  the  consent  of  the  second,  if  it  has 
not  been  stated  by  the  Chair.  If  it  has  been 
stated  by  the  Chair,  it  cannot  be  withdrawn  with-' 


INCIDENTAL    MOTIONS.  35 

out  consent  of  the  members.  If  any  one  objects 
it  must  either  go  before  the  house  to  be  voted 
upon,  or  a  motion  must  be  made  to  withdraw  it, 
which  motion  cannot  be  debated  or  amended. 
Permission  to  withdraw  a  motion  is  often  given 

by  "consent."     The  Chair  will  say,  "Mr. 

desires  to  withdraw  his  motion,  are  there  any 
objections?'  or  he  will  say,  "Is  there  consent?" 
If  no  one  objects  or  consent  is  given,  the  motion 
is  withdrawn. 

2.  What  becomes  of  a  Question  that  has  been 
withdrawn f  It  may  come  before  the  house  at 
any  other  time  the  same  as  though  it  had  not 
been  presented  before. 

3.  What  is  done  if  some  one  objects  to  the 
motion  being  zvithdfawnf  The  question  is  put 
on  the  withdrawal  of  the  motion  and  decided  by 
a  m,ajority  vote.  It  is  not  necessary  to  record 
a  motion  that  has  been  withdrawn. 

27.     To  Suspend  the  Rules. — i.     Why  are  the 

rules  sometimes  suspended  f  Because  the  adopted 
rules  of  a  body  frequently  interfere  with  the 
speedy  transaction  of  business. 

2.     What  is  the  fonnf     The  form  is,  "I  move 

to  suspend  the  rule,  which  interferes  with  * ," 

stating  the  object. 

X  3.  What  rules  may  be  suspended f  Only  the 
Rules  of  Order  or  Standing  Rules,  or  any  rules 


36  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

governing  the  organization   outside  of   the   Con- 
stitution and  By-Laws. 
""■^      4.     Can   the  motion   be  made   to   Suspend   the 
Rules  on   the   Constitution  and  By-Laws f     No; 
not  unless  they  provide  for  their  own  suspension. 

5.  What  vote  does  it  take  to  S.uspend  the 
Rules f    A  two-thirds  vote. 

6.  Can  it  be  amended?  It  cannot  be  amended, 
neither  debated,  nor  have  any  subsidiary  motion 
applied  to  it.     It  cannot  be  reconsidered. 

7.  Can  a  motion  to  Suspend  the  Rules  for  a 
certain  purpose  be  renewed  at  the  same  meeting? 
No;  but  such  a  motion  may  be  made  after  ad- 
journment in  the  next  meeting,  although  the 
meeting  be  held  the  same  day. 


SUBSIDIARY    MOTIONS.  37 

SUBSIDIARY  MOTIONS. 

What  is  meant  by  Subsidiary  Motions?  Sub- 
sidiary Motions  are  such  as  aid  in  the  proper 
disposition  of  Main  Questions  without  adopting 
or  rejecting  them,  and  must  be  decided  before 
the  principal  question  can  be  acted  upon.  They 
yield  to  Privileged  and  Incidental  Motions. 

28.  To  Lay  on  the  Table.— i.  What  is  the 
object  of  the  motion  to  Lay  on  the  Table?  The 
object  of  this  motion  is  to  postpone  the  subject 
in  such  a  way  that  at  any  time  later  it  can  be 
considered. 

2.  What  is  the  form?  The  form  is,  "I  move 
the  question  be  laid  on  the  table." 

3.  What  is  its  rank?  The  motion  to  Lay  on 
the  Table  takes  precedence  of  all  other  Subsid- 
iary Questions,  but  yields  to  Incidental  and  Priv- 
ileged Questions. 

4.  What  motion  to  Lay  on  the  Table  do,  or 
do  not,  effect  the  Main  Question?  (a)  A  ques- 
tion being  laid  on  the  table  carries  with  it  all 
pertaining  to  it.  As,  should  an  amendment  be 
laid  on  the' table  it  carries  with  it  all  it  proposes 
to  amend.  Exceptions :  (b)  An  appeal  being 
laid  on  the  table  sustains  the  Chair,  and  does 
not  carry  with  it  the  original  question,  (c)  An 
amendment  to  the  minutes  being  laid  on  the  table 
does  not  carry  the  minutes  with  it.     (d)     A  mo- 


38  PARLIAMENTARY  XAW. 

tion  to  reconsider  being  laid  on  the  table  does 
not  carry  with  it  the  original  motion,  (e)  The 
previous  question  being  called  and  laid  on  the 
table  does  not  carry  with  it  the  main  motion, 

5.  M'^hy  sometimes  lay  the  Previous  Question 
on  the  table f  So  that  the  Main  Question  may 
be  further  debated. 

6.  How  far  does  the  right  ''To  Lay  on  the 
Table"  extend f  Though  the  Previous  Question 
may  have  been,  ordered,  and  the  moment  has  ar- 
rived to  vote  on  the  Main  Question,  the  Main 
Question  may  be  laid  on  the  table. 

7.  Can  it  be  debated f  The  motion  to  "Lay  on 
the  table,"  or  "Take  from  the  table,"  is  unde- 
batable,  and  takes  a  majority  vote  to  carry  it. 

8.  Can  it  be  amended^    No. 

9.  When  a  motion  carries  to  "Lay  on  the 
table"  what  becomes  of  the  question  under  con- 
sideration? It  removes  the  question  from  dis- 
cussion until  the  assembly  take  it  "from  the 
table"  by  a  majority  vote. 

10.  Can  an  affirmative  vote  to  "Lay  on  the 
table"  be  reconsidered?     No, 

11.  Can  a  motion  be  made  to  Lay  a  question 
on  the  table  for  a  specified  time?  No.  Should 
it  be  desired  to  lay  the  question  aside  to  a  speci- 
fied time  it  would  be  in  order  to  "Move  that  the 
question  be  postponed  to ,"  stating  the  time. 


SUBSIDIARY    MOTIONS.  39 

29.  Previous  Question. — i.  What  is  meant 
by  the  Previous  Question?  It  is  a  motion  to  cut 
off  debate  on  the  question  before  the  house,  and 
bring  it  to  a  vote  at  once. 

2.  What  is  the  form?  The  form  is,  "I  move 
the  previous  question."  After  it  has  been  sec- 
onded, the  Chair  will  say,  "Shall  the  main  ques- 
tion be  now  put?"    "All  in  favor,"  etc. 

3.  What  vote  does  it  take?  If  there  is  a  two- 
thirds  vote  in  the  affirmative,  the  question  is  put 
at  once;  but  if  the  previous  question  does  not 
carry,  the  question  is  still  open  for  discussion ; 
also,  if  the  Previous  Question  is  laid  on  the 
table,  the  question  before  the  house  can  be  de- 
bated. 

4.  When  there  is  a  question  before  the  house 
with  amendments,  and  the  Previous  Question  is 
called,  what  is  the  order  of  Procedure?  In  this 
case  the  vote  must  be  taken  at  once  on  the  ques- 
tion, beginuing  first  with  the  amendments. 

5.  What  should  be  done  if  the  Previous 
Question  is  called  on  an  amendment?  Simply 
vote  on  the  amendment.  This  leaves  the  Main 
Question  still  open  for  debate  and  amendment. 

6.  Can  a  person  submit  a  resolution,  and  at 
the  same  time  move  the  previous  question?  Yes; 
but  this  is  not  often  done. 

7.  What  is  its  rank?  The  Previous  Question 
takes  precedence  of   all  debatable  questions,  but 


40  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

yields  to  all  Privileged  and  Incidental  Questions, 
and  to  the  Motion  to  Lay  on  the  Table. 

8.  Can  it  he  amended?    No. 

9.  Can  it  he  reconsidered?    No. 

10.  To  zihat  does  the  Previous  Question  ap- 
ply? To  Debatable  Questions  and  Questions  of 
Privilege. 

11.  Does  the  call  of  ''Question,  Question," 
compel  the  Chair  to  close  dehate  and  take  the 
vote  at  once?  No.  He  may  allow  the  debate  to 
continue  until  some  one  moves  "the  Previous 
Question." 

12.  The  Previous  Question  to  many  is  con- 
fusing. Some  are  apt  to  think  that  it  has 
reference  to  the  question  hefore  the  one  under 
discussion;  but  it  simply  means  that  the  dehate 
now  close,  and  the  vote  he  taken  on  the  last 
question  hefore  the  house.  The  Previous  Ques- 
tion when  called  applies  to  the  whole  question 
unless  otherwise  specified.  If  a  committee  has 
reported  the  Main  Question,  the  chairman  of  the 
committee  can  close  the  debate  even  after  the 
Previous   Question   has  been   ordered. 

30.  To  Postpone  to  a  Certain  Day  or  to  a 
Certain  Time. — i.  //  a  question  arises  which  it 
is  preferred  not  to  decide  at  once,  what  may  he 
done?  A  motion  may  be  made  to  postpone  it  to 
a  certain  day  and  hour. 


SUBSIDIARY    MOTIONS.  41 

2.  What  is  the  form?    The  form  is,  "I  move 

to  postpone to day  and  hour,"  naming 

the  question  and  day  and  hour. 

3.  Why  is  it  often  better  to  postpone  a  ques- 
tion to  a  certain  day  and  hour,  rather  than  to 
lay  it  on  the  table  or  allow  it  to  be  voted  on  and 
be  lost?  Because  to  take  from  the  table,  or  to 
reconsider  the  vote  in  order  to  get  the  question 
again  before  the  house  both  take  a  majority  vote, 
but  if  a  question  is  postponed  to  a  certain  time 
it  becomes  a  special  order  of  the  day  for  that 
time  without  any  vote,  and  everything  else  yields 
(except  Privileged  Questions)  to  it  even  if  there 
is  other  business  before  the  house. 

4.  Can  it  be  taken  up  before  or  after  the 
specified  time?  Only  by  taking  it  up  out  of  or- 
der, which  requires  a  two-thirds  vote. 

5.  //  there  is  business  before  the  house  when 
the  time  arrives  for  the  Special  Order,  what  be- 
comes of  the  business?  The  interrupted  business 
is  laid  aside  and  can  come  up  later  as  unfinished 
business. 

6.  //  the  Chair  fails  to  call  up  the  question  as 
postponed,  at  the  specified  time,  can  any  one  else 
call  it  up?    Yes. 

7.  What  vote  does  it  take  to  postpone  a  ques- 
tion to  a  certain  time?    A  majority  vote. 

8.  When    there    are    two    or    more    questions 


42  .  PARLIAMENTARY    LAW. 

postponed,  what  is  the  order  of  considering  themf 
They  should  be  taken  up  in  the  order  in  which 
they  were  postponed,  even  though  they  were  not 
taken  up  at  the  time  appointed. 

9.  Can  a  motion  to  postpone  to  a  certain  day 
or  time  he  debated?  Only  as  to  the  propriety  of 
postponing  it. 

10.  Can  it  he  amended?    Only  as  to  time. 

11.  To  what  does  it  yield?  It  yields  to  Privi- 
leged and  Incidental  Questions,  the  motion  to 
Lay  on  the  Table,  and  the  Previous  Question; 
but  it  takes  precedence  of  a  motion  to  commit 
or  amend,  or  indefinitely  postpone. 

31.  To  Commit. — i.  What  is  meant  hy  Com- 
mit? By  Commit  is  meant  to  transfer  certain 
business  to  a  smaller  body  called  a  committee. 

2.  What  is  the  form?  *T  move  to  refer  the 
subject  (naming  the  subject)   to  a  committee." 

3.  Can  it  he  amended?     Yes. 

4.  Can  it  he  dehated?     Yes. 

5.  What  is  meant  hy  Recommit?  It  is  to 
refer  the  subject  back  to  the  committee. 

6.  To  Commit  or  Recommit  takes  precedence 
of  what  motions?  To  Amend  and  to  Postpone 
Indefinitely,  and  yields  to  all  other  Subsidiary, 
Incidental  and  Privileged  Motions. 

7.  What  vote  does  it  take?    A  majority. 

32.  Amendments.^!.      //   a    motion   is   made 


SUBSIDIARY   MOTIONS.  41 

and  is  not  satisfactoryj  what  can  he  done?     It 
can  be  amended. 

2.  To  what  extent  may  a  question  he 
amended?  It  may  be  amended  so  as  to  modify 
the  meaning,  or  so  as  to  change  the  meaning 
entirely.  But  an  amendment  must  be  germane 
to  the  question. 

3.  What  is  the  form?  "I  move  to  amend," 
stating  how  you  want  to  amend  the  question. 

4.  What  are  some  of  the  ways  of  amending  a 
question?  By  "adding"  or  "inserting,"  by  "strik- 
ing out,"  or  by  "substituting"  one  motion  or 
resolution  for  another. 

5.  How  many  amendments  may  be  entertained 
to  a  question  at  the  same  time?  There  may  be 
two  only.  An  amendment  to  the  question,  and 
an  amendment  to  the  amendment. 

6.  //  there  is  a  question  with  two  amendments 
what  vote  should  he  taken  first?  The  vote  to 
amend  the  amendment,  and  if  this  carries,  then 
on  the  amendment  as  amended,  if  this  carries 
then  on  the  original  motion  as  amended. 

7.  //  the  second  amendment  carries,  and  the 
first  amendment  loses,  what  is  the  result?  Only 
the  original  motion  is  left. 

8.  //  the  second  amendment  loses  and  the 
first  amendment  carries,  what  is  the  result?  The 
question  with  the  first  amendment  remains. 


44  PARLIAMENTARY    LAW. 

9.  Can  other  amendments  he  offered?  Yes, 
when  the  assembly  has  disposed  of  one  or  both 
of  those  pending. 

ID.  An  amendment  laid  on  the  table  has  what 
effect  on  the  question?  An  amendment  laid  on 
the  table  carries  with  it  all  it  proposes  to  amend; 
except,  an  amendment  to  the  minutes  being  laid 
on  the  table  does  not  carry  the  minutes  with  it. 

11.  Can  a  mover  of  a  question  offer  an 
amendment  to  it?  Yes ;  he  has  the  same  privi- 
lege as  any  other  member,  excepting  to  speak 
against  his  own  motion. 

12.  Should  the  Chair  ask  the  maker  of  a  mo- 
tion to  accept  an  amendment?  No ;  not  if  it 
changes  the  question;  but  if  it  is  simply  some 
little  change  in  the  form  of  the  question  that 
does  not  affect  its  sense,  he  may  make  such  a 
request.  Some  are  often  embarassed  by  the 
Chair  asking  this  question. 

13.  //  there  is^  a  question  with  an  amendment 
before  the  house  and  the  Previous  Question  is 
called  for  J  what  is  meant?  It  is  meant  to  close 
the  debate,  and  bring  the  whole  question  before 
the  house  to  a  vote. 

14.  //  the  Previous  Question  is  called  on  an 
amendment,  zvhat  is  meant?  It  means  that  the 
vote  on  the  amendment  be  taken  at  once,  but 
the  original  question  is  yet  open  for  debate. 


SUBSIDIARY    MOTIONS.  ^5 

15.  //  there  is  a  question  before  the  house 
with  two  amendments  and  some  one  wants  to 
offer  another  that  will  affect  the  pending  ques- 
tion, what  can  be  done?  He  may  state  his  desire 
to  offer  an  amendment  if  the  pending  amend- 
ment is  voted  down.  This  gives  those  in  favor 
of  his  amendment  the  right  to  vote  in  the  nega- 
tive, and  if  the  amendment  is  lost  the  nevv 
amendment  can  be  offered. 

16.  What  vote  does  it  take  to  am,end?  A 
majority,  except  to  amend  the  Constitution,  or 
By-Laws,  or  the  Rules  of  Order.  These  require 
previous  notice  and  a  two -thirds  vote  for  their 
adoption. 

17.  To  what  does  the  motion  to  amend  yield? 
The  motion  to  amend  yields  to  all  Privileged, 
Incidental,  and  Subsidiary  motions,  except  to 
Postpone  Indefinitely. 

18.  The  following  is  a  list  of  motions  which 
cannot  be  amended:  To  Adjourn  (when  un 
qualified),  to  Lay  on  the  Table,  to  Postpone  In- 
definitely, an  Amendment  to  an  Amendment,  the 
Orders  of  the  Day,  all  Incidental  Questions,  the 
Previous   Question,   and  to   Reconsider. 

33.  To  Postpone  Indefinitely. — i.  What  is 
the  object  of  postponing  a  question  indefinitely? 
To  remove  the  question  from  the  assembly  for 
that  session.  It  is  one  way  of  disposing  of  a 
question. 


46  PARLIAMENTARY    LAW. 

2.  What  is  the  form?  "I  move  the  question 
be  postponed  indefinitely." 

3.  What  is  its  rank?  It  is  the  lowest  in  rank 
(except  the  principal  motion),  and  yields  to  all 
Privileged,  Incidental  and  Subsidiary  motions, 
except  the  motion  to  Amend. 

4.  How  is  it  affected  by  the  Previous  Ques- 
tion? If  the  Previous  Question  is  called  on  it, 
the  motion  to  postpone  only  is  affected,  and  the 
Vfain  Question  remains  before  the  assembly. 

5.  Can  it  he  debated?  Yes ;  and  when  it  is 
moved  it  opens  to  debate  the  entire  question 
which  it  proposes  to  postpone. 

6.  What  vote  does  it  take  to  postpone  indefi- 
nitely?   A  majority. 

7.  Can  a  motion  to  postpone  indefinitely  be 
amended?    No. 

8.  //  a  question  has  been  postponed  indefi- 
nitely what  effect  does  that  have  on  the  question? 
It  takes  the  question  from-  the  house  and  is 
identical  in  effect  with  a  vote  on  the  Main  Qiies- 
tion  and  decided  in  the  negative. 


MISCELLANEOUS.  47 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

34.  Reconsider. — i.  When  a  vote  has  been 
taken,  and  is  not  satisfactory,  what  may  be  done? 
A  motion  to  reconsider  the  vote  may  be  made. 

2.  Why  reconsider?  So  as  to  bring  the  ques- 
tion before  the  house  again. 

3.  How  does  this  effect  the  question?  When 
a  vote  is  reconsidered  the  motion  stands  just  as 
it  did  before  the  vote  was  taken. 

4.  Who  can  move  to  reconsider  a  vote?  One 
who  has  voted  on  the  prevailing  side.  The  pre- 
vailing side  is  not  necessarily  the  affirmative.  If 
the  motion  has  been  defeated  the  negative  is  the 
prevailing  side.  Any  one  may  second  the  mo- 
tion to  reconsider. 

5.  How  may  the  Chair  know  that  the  person 
moving  to  reconsider  voted  on  the  prevailing 
side?  If  the  yeas  and  nays  have  been  taken  the 
record  will  show  it.  If  it  has  been  a  viva  voce 
vote,  the  Chair  may  ask  the  mover  if  he  voted 

.  on  the  prevailing  side. 

6.  Can  all  votes  be  reconsidered?  No.  To 
Adjourn,  to  Suspend  the  Rules,  to  Take  from 
the  Table,  an  affirmative  vote  to  lay  on  the  Table, 
a  vote  by  ballot,  and  elections  cannot  be  recon- 
sidered. 

7.  Can  a  question  with  amendments,  which 
has  been  carried  or  lost,  be.  r^(^on^idered?    Yes; 


48  PARLIAMENTARY   LAW. 

by  first  reconsidering  the  vote  on  original  ques- 
tion, then  the  vote  on  the  amendments. 

8.  //  one  wishes  the  question  that  has  been 
disposed  of  brought  up  again,  is  it  wise  to  move 
to  reconsider  the  vote  on  the  question  before 
some  influence  has  been  brought  to  bear  on  the 
house  or  the  conditions  change f  No;  as  the 
same  majority  having  disposed  of  the  question 
would  be  very  apt  to  vote  down  the  motion  to 
reconsider. 

9.  How  may  a  question  be  disposed  of  that  it 
can  not  come  up  again  during  that  session f  As 
soon  as  the  question  is  disposed  of  and  before 
any  influence  has  been  brought  to  bear  on  the 
body  to  cause  them  to  change  their  vote  some 
one  voting  on  the  prevailing  side  may  move  to 
reconsider  the  vote  and  if  the  motion  to  recon- 
sider is  lost  the  question  cannot  come  up  again 
during  that  session. 

ID.  How  many  times  can  a  question  be  re- 
considered?    But  once. 

11.  Is  the  motion  to  reconsider  debatable?  It 
is  or  is  not  debatable,  just  as  the  question  pro- 
posed to  be  reconsidered  is  or  is  not  debatable. 
If  debatable  it  opens  up  the  entire  subject  for 
debate  which  it  proposes  to  reconsider. 

12.  Can  a  motion  to  reconsider  be  made  at 
any  time  during  the  meeting?  The  common  rule 
is  that  a  motion  to  reconsider  must  be  made  the 


MISCELLANEOUS.  49 

same  day  or  the  day  folowing  that  on  which  the 
question  came  before  the  house  for  a  vote. 

13.  Can  the  motion  to  reconsider  be  made  if 
there  is  other  business  before  the  house?  Yes; 
but  it  cannot  be  acted  upon  at  that  time.  It  must 
be  entered  upon  the  minutes  and  can  be  called 
up  at  any  time.  If  taken  up  immediately  after 
the  business  which  was  before  the  house  when 
it  was  made,  is  disposed  of,  it  takes  precedence 
of  everything,  except  a  motion  to  Adjourn,  and 
to  Fix  the  Time  to  which  to  Adjourn. 

14.  //  a  motion  to  reconsider  be  laid  on  the 
table,  how  is  the  Main  Question  affected?  If  the 
motion  to  reconsider  is  tabled,  the  Main  Ques- 
tion cannot  be  reconsidered  unless  the  motion  to 
reconsider  is  taken  from  the  table  by  a  majority 
vote. 

15.  Can  the  Previous  Question  be  called  on  a 
motion  to  reconsider?  Yes;  but  it  effects  only 
the  motion  to  reconsider,  and  leaves  the  Main 
Question  untouched. 

16.  To  what  does  the  motion  to  reconsider 
yield?  It  yields  to  all  Incidental  Motions,  and 
Privileged  Questions,  except  the  Orders  of  the 
Day. 

17.  Can  it  be  amended?    No. 

18.  What  vote  does  it  take  to  reconsider?  A 
majority. 


50  PARLIAMENTARY    LAW. 

19.  Sometimes  it  is  better  for  one  to  change 
his  vote  and  vote  on  the  prevailing  side,  so  that 
later  he  may  move  to  reconsider  the  vote. 

20.  //  the  motion  prevails  to  reconsider  the 
vote  how  does  the  question  stand?  It  is  before 
the  house  just  as  it  was  before  any  vote  had 
been  taken  on  it. 

35.  To  Rescind.— I.  //  a  question  has  been 
disposed  of  and  the  time  has  passed  to  recon- 
sider the  vote  and  the  assembly  wishes  to  reverse, 
or  annul  the  action,  what  can  be  done?  It  would 
be  in' order  for  some  one  to  "move  to  rescind  the 

action   pertaining   to  "    stating   the   question. 

If  this  is  carried  by  a  majority  vote  the  action  is 
rescinded. 

2.  Can  an  action  be  rescinded  regardless  of 
the  time  that  has  elapsed  since  the  question  was 
disposed  of?    Yes. 

36.  Voting  on  Questions.  —  i.  What  are 
some  of  the  forms  of  voting?  .  By  the  ayes  and 
noes,  by  showing  hands,  by  rising,  by  yeas  and 
nays  and  by  ballot. 

2.  What  form  is  most  commonly  used?  The 
ayes  and  noes  vote  outside  of  the  election  of 
officers. 

3.  After  the  motion  has  been  made  and  sec- 
onded, what  is  the  next  thing  in  order?  The 
Chair  should  always  state  the  question.  If  it  is 
debatable  he  will  call   for   remarks,  but   if   it   is 


MISCELLANEOUS.  5 1 

undebatable  he  will  take  the  vote  at  once  unless 
other  motions  of  higher  rank  are  made  bearing 
on  the  question.  After  the  vote  has  been  taken 
the  Chair  should  always  announce  the  result. 

4.  What  can  be  done  if  the  vote  is  uncertain^ 
Any  member  may  call  for  a  division  of  the  house 
by  saying,  "Mr.  Chairman,  I  call  for  a  division 
of  the  house."  This  does  not  require  a  second 
or  a  vote,  and  at  once  the  Chair  will  say,  "A 
division  of  the  house  has  been  called  for,  all 
of  those  who  favor  the  question  before  the  house 
will  stand  and  be  counted;"  after  the  affirmative 
has  been  counted  the  Chair  will  say,  "All  who 
oppose  the  motion  will  stand  and  be  counted;'* 
the  Chair  will  then  announce  the  result. 

5.  Should  the  Chair  ever  say,  "All  in  favor 
of  the  motion  give  the  usual  sign?"  No.  There 
is  no  such  thing  as  the  usual  sign  unless  a  special 
sign  has  been  adopted  by  the  society,  and  they 
vote  by  signs,  then  it  would  be  in  order. 

6.  Should  the  Chair  always  call  for  the  'nega- 
tive vote?  Yes;  unless  he  knows  the  vote  to  be 
unanimous,  or  in  votes  of  thanks  or  courtesy. 

7.  What  is  meant  by  "General  Consent?"  By 
General  Consent  is  meant  the  same  as  unanimous 
vote.  Sometimes  to  facilitate  business  the  Chair 
will  say,  "Is  there  consent  to  such  and  such  a 
question,  motion  or  procedure?"  If  the  body 
says  "Consent"  and  not  a  single  objection  made 


52  PARLIAMENTARY   LAW. 

the  question  passes.     If  anyone  objects  the  regu- 
lar vote  is  taken. 

8.  Can  a  maker  of  a  motion  vote  against  his 
own  motion f  Yes;  but  he  cannot  speak  against 
his  own  motion. 

9.  Alay  a  member  change  his  vote?  Yes;  at 
any  time  before  the  decision  of  a  vote  is  an- 
nounced by  the  Chair,  if  his  vote  was  not  cast 
by  ballot. 

10.  What  is  the  privilege  of  debate  as  relates 
to  voting f  Although  the  affirmative  vote  has 
been  taken,  and  until  the  negative  is  put,  a  mem- 
ber is  entitled  to  the  floor  (though  he  may  have 
at  that  moment  entered  the  room),  and  he  may 
open  up  the  debate  on  the  question  just  as  if 
voting  had  not  been  begun.  After  the  debate  is 
closed  the  vote  on  the  affirmative  must  be  taken 
over.  Also,  after  the  final  vote  has  been  an- 
nounced by  the  Chair,  if  it  is  found  a  member 
has  tried  to  obtain  the  floor  before  the  Chair  had 
put  the  negative  side,  he  shall  be  heard  on  the 
question  as  though  no  vote  had  been  taken.  Then 
the  vote  must  be  taken  over. 

11.  Cajt  a  person  vote  on  a  question  effecting 
himself?  If  the  question  effects  himself  only, 
he  cannot  vote,  but  if  it  relates  to  several  in  the 
same  body,  he  may  vote  with  the  rest. 

12.  When  may  the  Chair  vote?  When  there 
is  a  tie,  when  his  vote  will  make  a  tie,  when  the 


MISCELLANEOUS.  5  3 

yeas  and  nays  are  called,  when  the  vote  is  by 
ballot,  or  at  any  time  when  his  vote  will  affect 
the  result. 

13.  When  there  is  a  tie  what  becomes  of  the 
question  f  It  is  lost,  unless  the  Chair  votes,  which 
vote  carries  it.  He  would  not  vote  in  the  nega- 
tive, since  the  measure  is  already  lost. 

14.  When  the  vote  of  the  Chair  will  make  a 
tie  he  can  cast  it,  and  thus  defeat  a  measure. 

15.  //  the  vote  is  by  ballot  when  does  the 
Chair  vote?  He  writes  his  ballot  and  casts  it 
with  the  rest. 

16.  When  the  yeas  and  nays  are  called,  in 
what  order  does  the  Chair  vote?  He  votes  last, 
so  as  not  to  influence  others  voting. 

17.  What  is  meant  by  the  yeas  and  nays?  A 
call  for  the  yeas  and  nays  requires  that  the  vote 
of  each  member  be  recorded. 

18.  What  is  the  form?  "I  move  the  yeas  and 
nays."  If  the  motion  carries  by  a  majority  vote 
the  Chair  will  say,  "The  yeas  and  nays  have 
been  ordered;  as  the  names  are  called  those  in 
favor  of  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  will  say 
aye,  those  opposed  will  say  no."  The  Secretary 
then  calls  the  roll,  each  member  answering  aye, 
or  no,  which  vote  is  recorded.  After  all  have 
voted  the  Secretary  will  give  the  number  voting 
on  each  side,  and  the  result  is  announced  by  the 
Chair. 


54  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

19.  How  will  the  assembly  proceed  when  the 
vote  is  to  be  taken  by  ballot f  See  Election  of 
Officers. 

37.  Election  of  Officers.  —  i.  How  may 
officers  be  elected?    By  ballot  or  by  acclamation. 

2.  In  electing  officers  what  is  the  first  duty 
of  the  Presiding  Officer?  To  ascertain  how  many 
in  the  assembly  are  members  and  entitled  to  vote. 
If  it  is  a  delegated  body  the  credential  commit- 
tee's report  will  show.  If  it  is  not  a  delegated 
body  an  easy  way  is  to  have  the  members  all  rise 
and  number  themselves  aloud  as  they  take  their 
seats;  this  is  so  the  body  will  know  how  many 
ballots  may  be  cast  or  how  many  may  vote. 

3.  Can  a  President  preside  during  the  election 
of  officers?  He  may,  or  he  may  call  some  one 
else  to  the  Chair. 

4.  If  no  rule  has  been  adopted  by  the  society 
as  to  how  the  election  shall  be  held  what  is  the 
duty  of  the  Chair?  He  shall  ask,  "How  shall  the 
election  be  held?"  Some  one  may  move  that 
"there  be  nominations  from  the  floor  and  elected 
by  ballot,"  or  "a  nominating  ballot  and  elected 
by  ballot,"  or  "a  nominating  committee  and 
elected  by  ballot,"  or  "nomination  and  election 
by  acclamation."  The  vote  is  taken  and  decided 
by  a  majority  vote. 

5.  When  electing  by  ballot  what  will  the  Chair 
do   next?     The   Chair   will   appoint   "tellers"   to 


MISCELLANEOUS.  55 

distribute    slips    of    paper    for   balloting.     These 
tellers  collect  and  count  the  ballots. 

6.  //  the  nominations  are  by  acclamation,  and 
the  vote  is  to  be  by  ballot,  how  should  the  as- 
sembly proceed?  Some  one  or  more  will  nomi- 
nate candidates  whose  names  will  be  voted  on. 
(These  nominations  need  no  second.)  The  tel- 
lers then  proceed  to  collect  the  ballots. 

7.  After  the  ballots  have  been  collected  what 
is  next  in  order?  The  Chair  will  say,  "Have  all 
the  ballots  been  collected?"  or  he  will  say,  "Have 
all  voted  who  are  entitled  to  vote?"  (waiting  a 
moment  to  see  if  all  ballots  have  been  taken  up) 
he  will  say,  "The  ballots  having  all  been  collected 
the  box  is  closed  and  the  tellers  will  proceed  to 
count  the  same."  The  tellers  may  count  the  bal- 
lots aloud  in  the  presence  of  the  assembly  or 
they  may  retire.  In  counting  the  ballots  all 
blanks  are  ignored  and  thrown  out.  It  is  best 
to  have  at  least  three  tellers,  then  one  takes  the 
ballot  from  the  box  reads  the  name  aloud  hands 
to  the  second  teller  who  sees  that  it  is  read  cor- 
rectly, the  third  teller  acts  as  secretary  or  clerk 
of  the  tellers,  repeats  the  name  aloud  and  keeps 
the  count.  After  all  the  ballots  have  been  count- 
ed the  one  keeping  the  count  will  read  the  tally 
sheet. 

8.  What  is  the  correct  form  in  reading  a  tally 
sheet?    First  the  number  entitled  to  vote,  second 


56  PARLIAMENTARY   LAW. 

the  number  of  votes  cast,  third  the  number 
necessary  for  a  choice,  fourth  the  number. each 
candidate  receives.    If  one  receives  a  majority  of 

the  votes  cast  the   Chair  will  say,  "Mr. 

having  received  the  required  number,   is   elected 


9.  What  is  done  if  no  one  carries  a  majority 
of  votes  on  the  first  ballot f  The  assembly  pro- 
ceeds to  ballot  again  until  one  receives  a  majority 
of  all  votes  cast. 

10.  Can  any  member  of  the  assembly  vote  for 
anyone  who  is  eligible  to  office  if  he  has  not  been 
nominated?  Yes.  He  can  vote  for  anyone  he 
wishes,  whether  such  person  has  been  nominated 
or  not. 

11.  Can  a  teller  be  a  candidate?  Yes,  if  he  is 
eligible,  but  a  candidate  cannot  be  a  teller.  If  a 
teller  has  been  nominated  he  will  resign  as  teller 
and  some  one  else  appointed,  as  it  would  not  be 
wise  for  a  candidate  to  be  allowed  to  count  his 
own  ballots. 

12.  What  is  meant  by  majority  of  all  votes 
cast?  It  is  any  number  t)ver  half,  and  a  plurality 
is  the  largest  of  two  or  more  numbers. 

13.  What  may  be  done  if  there  is  but  one  can 
didate,   and   the   (Constitution  requires  voting   by 
ballot?     Some  one  may  move  that  the  Secretary 
cast  the  ballot  for  the  assembly.     The  Chair  will 
say,   "All  in   favor  of   the   Secretary  casting  the 


MISCELLANEOUS.  57 

ballot  of  the  assembly  for  Mr. will  say  aye  ;'* 

then,  "those  who  are  opposed  will  say  no."  If 
there  is  a  unanimous  vote  the  Secretary  writing 
on  a  ballot  the  name  of  the  candidate  will  say, 
"I  hereby  cast  the  ballot  of  the  assembly  for 
Mr. ." 

14.  What  is  done  if  there  is  a  single  vote 
against  the  Secretary  casting  the  vote?  The  bal- 
lot must  be  taken  in  the  usual  way. 

15.  What  is  meant  by  the  nominating  ballot? 
When  in%the  interest  of  fairness,  secret  nomina- 
tions are  desired,  each  person  may  write  the 
name  of  his  favorite  candidate  upon  a  slip  of 
paper.  When  these  are  collected,  they  are  called 
the  Nominating  Ballot^  because  the  formality  of 
naming  the  person  through  a  committee  or  in 
open  session  is  not  observed.  Each  person  voted 
for  in  this  way  is  a  nominee.  The  ballot  is  then 
taken  until  one  receives  the  majority  of  all  votes 
cast.  This  is  frequently  the  most  satisfactory 
way  of  making  nominations. 

16.  Can  one  be  elected  on  the  Nominating 
Ballot?  No;  the  Nominating  Ballot  is  only  one 
ballot  taken  for  nominations.  But  If  in  this  first 
ballot  one  candidate  receives  a  large  majority  of 
all  votes  cast,  it  is  then  in  order  to  move  "that 
the  Secretary  cast  the  ballot."  The  presiding 
officer  should  state  the  motion  and  put  it  to  vote 
in  the  usual  way.     If  the  motion  is  carried  by  a 


58  PARLIAMENTARY   LAW. 

unanimous  vote  the  Secretary  casts  the  ballot.  If 
motion  is  lost  to  instruct  the  Secretary  to  cast 
the  ballot,  then  the  ballot  must  be  taken. 

-17.  How  proceed  if  there  is  a  nominating 
committee?  The  nominating  committee  makes 
up  a  list  of  officers  and  reports  the  same  to  the 
assembly.  The  committee's  report  like  any  other 
may  be  amended  by  the  assembly  offering  other 
names.  The  assembly  then  proceeds  to  vote  mak- 
ing the  entire  ticket  on  the  one  ballot.  The  tel- 
lers then  collect,  count,  and  the  result  is  an- 
nounced. Those  receiving  a  majority  of  all  votes 
cast  are  declared  elected.  Often  the  committee 
is  instructed  to  bring  in  two  or  more  sets  of 
names. 

18.  //  there  is  to  be  a  number  of  persons 
elected  to  fill  the  same  office,  such  as  the  election 
of  a  Board  of  Trustees,  Executive  Board,  or 
Board  of  Managers,  how  proceed?  Nominations 
are  made,  and  from  the  list  the  voters  place  on 
their  ballots  the  names  of  those  they  desire, 
enough  to  fill  the  board.  The  entire  board  may 
be  elected  or  voted  on  the  one  ballot.  It  may  be 
previously  decided  by  the  assembly  whether  the 
board  should  be  elected  by  the  majority  or  plur- 
ality vote. 

19.  Hoiv  proceed  with  election  by  acclamation? 
If  there  are  several  nominees,  the  Chair  will  an- 
nounce each  name  as  he  hears  it,  and  when  the 


MISCELLANEOUS.  59 

nominations  close  they  should  be  voted  upon  in 
the  order  given,  until  one  is  elected. 

20.  What  requires  a  unanimous  vote?  To 
expunge  from  the  minutes  (see  Miscellaneous 
Questions),  and  to  declare  a  vote  unanimous 
which  is  not.  For  instance  a  number  have  been 
voted  for,  and  one  receives  the  number  of  votes 
necessary  to  elect,  a  bare  majority,  and  some  one 
moves  the  election  be  declared  unanimous.  If  all 
vote  to  declare  it  unanimous  it  is  so  recorded. 
But  this  is  only  done  through  courtesy,  and  is 
often  unfair  to  the  other  candidates. 

21.  Often  the  Constitution  provides  for  rota- 
tion, or  limitation  of  office,  which  usually  proves 
very  satisfactory  to  the  organization. 

22.  In  electing  officers  after  repeated  balloting 
and  no  one  receives  a  majority  of  votes  cast, 
what  can  he  done?  Before  the  next  ballot  is 
taken  some  one  may  move,  "That  on  the  next 
ballot  the  one  receiving  the  largest  number  of 
votes  shall  be  declared  elected."  The  motion  is 
put  and  decided  by  a  two-thirds  vote.  Then  on 
the  next  ballot  the  one  receiving  the  highest  vote 
is   elected. 

23.  Can  an  election  to  office  he  reconsidered? 
No. 

38.  Committees. — i.  How  may  Committees 
he  nominated?  They  may  be  nominated  in  open 
convention  or  by  the  nominating  ballot. 


60  PARLIAMENTARY   LAW. 

2.  How  may  they  he  appointed.    By  the  Chair. 

3.  How  may  they  he  elected?  By  acclamation, 
or  by  ballot. 

4.  What  is  the  form?  The  Chair  will  say 
"How  shall  this  committee  be  obtained?"  A 
member  will  either  move  that  the  Chair  appoint, 
or  that  the  Committee  be  nominated  and  voted 
for.    This  is  decided  by  a  majority  vote. 

5.  What  is  next  in  order?  The  Chair  will 
say,  "How  many  shall  constitute  this  Commit- 
tee?" and  if  there  are  several  numbers  given, 
the  vote  should  be  taken  on  the  highest  number 
first,  etc.,  until,  by  a  majority  vote  a  number  is 
chosen. 

6.  Has  the  Chair  a  right  to  appoint  Commit- 
tees merely  upon  the  suggestion  of  some  memher 
"that  the  Chair  appoint?"  No;  there  must  be  a 
motion  to  that  effect,  and  if  it  is  carried,  the 
Chair  will  appoint. 

7.  Is  it  hest  always  to  .  allow  the  Chair  to 
appoint  Committees?  No;  if  there  be  an  In- 
vestigating Committee,  or  some  Committee  of 
great  importance,  and  the  appointing  is  left  in 
the  hands  of  the  Chair,  he  may  put  on  that  Com- 
mittee only  those  who  think  as  h'e  does,  while 
the  views  of  others  should  be  represented. 

Sometimes  the  Chair  appoints  the  Committee 
without  asking  the  consent  of  the  house.  This 
he  should  not  do  unless  the  rules  of  the  organi- 
zation give  him  the  permission. 


MISCELLANEOUS.  6l 

8.  Has  one  person  the  right  to  nominate  more 
than  one  on  a  Committee?  No;  not  until  all 
have  an  opportunity  to  nominate. 

9.  //  there  are  nominations  from  the  floor, 
and  the  election  is  to  be  by  acclamation,  how 
proceed?  If  only  enough  names  have  been  pre- 
sented to  fill  the  committee  they  may  be  voted 
on  as  a  whole.  If  more  names  have  been  pre- 
sented than  to  fill  the  Committee,  the  presiding 
officer  will,  after  nominations  have  closed,  vote 
on  them  in  the  order  they  were  given  until 
enough  have  been  elected  to  fill  the  Committee, 
the  Secretary  keeping  the  list. 

10.  What  are  Standing  Committees?  Stand- 
ing Committees  are  permanent  Committees,  for 
a  specified  time. 

11.  What  are  Special  or  Select  Committees? 
Committees  chosen  to  take  charge  of  Special 
subjects,  and  are  created  whenever  necessary. 

12.  Is  the  President  by  virtue  of  his  office  an 
ex-officio  member  of  all  Committees?  No;  not 
unless  made  so  by  the  Constitution,  or  Rules. 

13.  Should  all  Committees  be  organised? 
Yes ;  especially  temporary  Committees. 

14.  How  should  the  business  of  the  Commit- 
tee be  conducted?  The  same  as  in  large  bodies, 
as  it  is  a  miniature  assembly. 

15.  Who  is  Chairman  of  the  Committee?  The 
first  one  named  is  Temporary  Chairman,  whose 
business  it  is  to  obtain  a  list  of  the  Committee, 


62  PARLIAMENTARY   LAW. 

appoint   a   place,    and   state   the   time,   and   make 
the  preliminary  arrangements  for  a  meeting. 

i6.  What  constitutes  a  Quorum  in  a  Commit- 
tee f    A  majority. 

17.  What  is  the  first  thing  to  do  in  the  meet- 
ing? The  Temporary  Chairman  will  call  the 
meeting  to  order,  and  call  for  nominations  for  a 
Secretary.  After  the  Secretary  has  been  elected 
he  will  call  for  nominations  for  a  permanent 
Chairman.  The  temporary  Chairman  may  be 
made  the  permanent  or  another  one  elected. 

18.  The  Committee  organized,  what  is  the 
next  stepf  If  it  is  a  set  of  resolutions,  constitu- 
tion or  platform^  referred  to  them,  they  will  pro- 
ceed to  draft  the  same.  Only  what  a  majority 
agree  to,  becomes  the  report  of  the  Committee. 

19.  //  the  Committee  forms  Sub-Committees 
to  whom  do  they  report?  To  the  Committee.  All 
bodies  are  subject  to  the  bodies  that  created 
them. 

20.  After  the  Committee  has  finished  the  work 
assigned  them  how  do  they  adjourn?  Some  one 
will  say,  "Mr.  Chairman,  I  move  that  the  Com- 
mittee rise,"  or  "I  move  that  the  Committee  rise 
and  report."  The  vote  is  taken  and  decided  by 
a  majority. 

21.  Who  reads  the  report  of  the  Committee? 
In  a  Standing  Committee,  usually  the  Chairman, 
but  in  a  Temporary  Committee,  usually  the  Sec- 
retary, but  either  would  be  correct. 


MISCELLANEOUS.  63 

22.  After  the  report  has  been  read  or  made 
is  it  in  order  to  "move  to  receive  the  report?" 
No.  The  body  receives  the  report  when  it  per- 
mits it  to  be  read. 

■-  23.  When  can  the  report  of  a  Committee  he 
made?  The  report  of  a  Committee  can  be  made 
at  any  time  if  there  is  no  business  before  the 
house,  no  special  time  having  been  set  for  the 
report,  and  providing  no  one  objects.  If  there 
is  objection,  a  motion  "that  we  now  receive  the 
report  of  the  Committee"  must  be  made,  and 
if  it  is  carried  by  a  majority  vote  the  report  is 
heard. 

24.  After  the  reading  of  the  report  how  will 
the  Chair  state  it  to  the  assembly?  He  will  say, 
"What  will  you  do  with  this  report?"  Some  one 
will  move  that  it  be  considered  seriatim,  or  that 
it  be  adopted  as  a  whole,  or  that  it  be  adopted 
sariatim. 

25.  What  is  meant  by  seriatim?  It  is  to  con- 
sider, item  by  item,  or,  section  by  section,  in 
regular  order. 

26.  //  the  motion  is  made  that  the  report  be 
adopted  as  a  zvhole  and  some  one  else  wants  it 
adopted  or  considered  seriatim^  what  can  be 
done?  Move  to  amend  the  motion  and  decide 
by  majority  vote. 

27.  How  proceed  to  adopt  as  a  whole?  After 
the  reading,  some  one  will  move  that  the  resolu- 
tions   be    adopted    as    a   whole,   and    the   vote    is 


64  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 

taken  at  once  upon  the  entire  report.     After  its 
adoption  the  Preamble  is  read  and  voted  on. 

28.  //  considered  seriatim  how  should  the 
assembly  proceed?  In  this  case,  the  one  reading 
the  resolutions,  will  read  the  first  one,  and  the 
Chair  will  call  for  remarks  or  amendments;  and 
if  there  are  none  the  next  will  be  taken  up.  If 
there  is  an  amendment  or  some  other  motion 
made  on  the  question,  it  is  disposed  of,  but  the 
main  question,  if  still  before  the  house,  is  not 
voted  on  at  that  time.  The  next  resolution  is 
then  taken  up,  and  so  on  until  all  have  been 
satisfactorily  -arranged,  when  they  should  be 
voted  on  as  a  whole.  The  advantage  of  consid- 
ering a  set  of  resolutions  seriatim,  after  all  have 
been  read,  another  opportunity  of  debating  or 
changing  any  one  of  them  is  given  as  each  reso- 
lution has  not  been  voted  on,  then  they  are  voted 
on  as  a  whole. 

29.  How  proceed  to  adopt  seriatim?  After 
the  resolution  has  been  read,  it  is  open  for  dis- 
cussion, amendments,  etc,,  and  then  the  vote  is 
taken  on  each  one,  and  so  on  down  the  entire 
list.  It  is  not  necessary  to  make  a  formal  mo- 
tion to  adopt  each  resolution  as  read,  as  the 
motion  to  adopt  seriatim  covers  that  point. 

30.  After  any  number  of  resolutions  have 
been  disposed  of,  can  any  of  them  be  amended? 
Only  after  they  have  been  reconsidered. 

31.  After  all  have  been  voted  on  seriatim,  is 


MISCELLANEOUS.  65 

it  necessary  to  vote  on  them  again  as  a  whole? 
No. 

Z2.  When  should  the  Preamble  always  he 
voted  on?    Last. 

2,z.  To  what  special  privilege  is  the  Chairman 
of  a  Committee  entitled?  To  open  and  close 
the  debate.  He  may  make  a  closing  speech  even 
after  the  previous   question  has  been  ordered. 

34.  After  a  Committee's  report  has  been  dis- 
posed of  is  it  necessary  to  move  that  the  Com- 
mittee be  discharged?  No.  When  the  Committee 
has  made  their  full  report  the  Committee  is 
dissolved.  Its  existence  terminates  when  the 
report  is*  delivered,  unless  it  is  a  Standing  Com- 
mittee. 

35.  After  the  report  has  been  presented  and 
the  assembly  is  not  satisfied,  what  can  be  done? 
Some  one  may  move  to  recommit  with  instruc- 
tions. It  may  be  referred  back  to  the  same 
Committee,  or  a  new  Committee  created.  The 
only  time  it  is  in  order  to  move  the  Committee 
be  discharged,  is  when  they  have  not  done  the 
work  assigned,  them,  or  when  a  Committee  has 
been  appointed  to  do  certain  work  and  it  is  de- 
sired to  discontinue  the  same. 

z6.  What  is  the  difference  between  "accepf 
and  "adop't?"  There  is  no  real  difference  in  par- 
liamentary usage. 

37.  //  the  Committee  disagree  what  can  he 
done?    The  minority  may  present  a  report. 


66  PARLIAMENTARY   LAW. 

38.  When  is  a  minority  report  heard?  Fol- 
lowing the  report  of  the  Committee,  and  before 
it  is  acted  upon. 

39.  When  both  reports  are  before  the  house 
what  zvill  the  Chair  do?  The  Chair  will  say, 
"You  have  heard  the  report  of  the  Committee, 
what  will  you  do  with  it?"  (meaning  the  Com- 
mittee report).  If  some  one  likes  the  minority 
report  best,  he  will  "move  the  minority  report 
be  substituted  for  the  majority,"  the  vote  is 
taken,  and  if  decided  by  a  majority,  the  minority 
is  substituted  for  the  majority  and  becomes  the 
report. 

40.  Does  that  adopt  the  report?  No ;  the  re- 
port is  then  before  the  house,  and  may  be  dis- 
posed of  the  same  as  any  report. 

41.  Do  we  ahvays  vote  on  the  minority  report? 
No;  only  as  it  is  substituted  for  the  majority. 

39.  Committee  of  the  Whole.— i.  Why  does 
an  assembly  sometimes  resolve  into  a  Committee 
of  the  Whole?  For  the  informal  consideration 
of  a  question  when  the  assembly  is  not  ready 
for  final  action  upon  it. 

2.  What  is  the  form?  The  form  is,  "I  move 
that  this  assembly  do  now  resolve  itself  into  a 
Committee  of  the  Whole  to  consider*  the  ques- 
tion," naming  the  question.  If  this  carries  by  a 
majority  vote  the  Presiding  Officer  appoints  a 
member  to  the  Chair,  and  takes  his  place  among 


MISCELLANEOUS.  67 

the  members.  However,  if  the  assembly  objects, 
it  can  elect  its  own  Chairman. 

.  3.  What  motions  are  in  order?  In  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  Whole  the  only  motions  in  order 
are  "To  am.end,"  "To  adopt,"  "To  limit  debate," 
and  "That  the  committee  rise  and  report."  This 
committee  cannot  change  the  text  of  the  resolu- 
tion referred  to  it. 

4.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  memorandum 
of  the  proceedings  for  the  use  of  the  committee, 
but  such  memorandum  should  not  be  recorded 
on  the  minutes.  Only  the  report  of  the  commit- 
tee is  so  recorded. 

5.  If  the  committee  wishes  to  dissolve,  a  mo- 
tion is  made,  "That  the  committee  rise  and  re- 
port." When  this  motion  is  adopted  the  presid- 
ing officer  takes  the  chair,  and  the  chairman  of 
the  committee  informs  him  that  the  committee 
has  completed  the  business  assigned  it  and  is 
ready  to  report. 

40.  Filling  Blanks. — i.  Sometimes  resolutions 
are  introduced,  or  reports  of  committees  made 
in  which  blanks  are  left  to  be  filled  by  the  as- 
sembly. It  is  not  necessary  to  make  a  motion  to 
fill  them,  but  any  number  of  persons  may  sug- 
gest the  number  with  which  to  fill  them.  These 
numbers  should  be  voted  on,  beginning  with  the 
highest  first. 


INDEX. 

PAGE 

General  Definitions 7 

Chart  of  Motions  in  the  Order  of  Their 
Precedence 5 

Chart  of  Undebatable  Questions 6 

Chart   Showing  What   Requires   a   Two- 
thirds  Vote 6 

Miscellaneous    Questions 8-13 

Organization  and  Order  of  Business 14-17 

Duties  of  Officers 18 

2.  President 18-19 

3.  Vice-President    19 

4.  Recording   Secretary 19-20 

5.  Corresponding    Secretary    20 

6.  Treasurer    20-21 

7.  Auditing  Committee   21 

Miscellaneous  Questions  22-26 

8.  The   Main   Question 22 

9.  Division  of  a  Motion 22 

10.  Voting   on   Questions 23 

11.  Contesting  the   Floor 23 

12.  Recess    23 

13.  Renewing  a  Motion. ;  .23-24 

14.  A  Session  24 

15.  A   Quorum    24-25 

16.  Informal  Consideration  of  a  Question       25 

17.  Minutes    25-26 

18.  An  Ex -Officio  Member 26 


INDEX.  69 

PAGE 

Privileged   Motions 27-31 

19.  To   Fix   the   Time   to    w^hich   to   Ad- 

j  ourn    27-28 

20.  Adjournment 28-29 

21.  Questions    oi:    Privilege 29-30 

22.  Orders    of   the   Day 30-31 

Incidental    Motions    32-36 

22i.    Appeals    32-33 

24.  Objections  to  the  Consideration  of  the 
Question     33-34 

25.  Reading   of   Papers 34 

2().     Withdrawal  of  a  Motion 34-35 

27.  To  Suspend  the  Rules -.35-36 

Subsidiary  Motions    37-  46 

28.  To  Lay  on  the  Table Zl-'^i^ 

29.  Previous    Question    39-40 

30.  To    Postpone    to    a    Certain    Day    or 
Time    40-42 

31.  To   Commit    42 

32.  Amendments    42-45 

33.  To   Postpone   Indefinitely 45-46 

Miscellaneous    47-67 

34.  Reconsider    47-50 

35.  To   Rescind    ^50 

36.  Voting  on   Questions 50-54 

Z^.     Election   of   Officers 54-59 

38.  Committees    59-66 

39.  Committee  of  the  Whole 67 

40.  Filling  Blanks   dy 


TESTIMONIALS 


FROM  BISHOP  VINCENT. 

Buffalo,  N.  T. 
I    have    received    and    examined   with    some    care 
jour  admirable  little  manual  of  Parliamentary  Law. 
It  deserves  a  wide  sale.    It  makes  a  good  text  book. 
Yours  truly.  JOHN  H.  VINCBNT. 


OHIO   WBSLEYAN   UNIVERSITY, 

Delaware,  Ohio. 
Thanks  for  the  copy  of  your  Compendium  of  Par- 
liamentary Laws.  My  hasty  examination  of  it 
gives  me  a  very  favorable  impression  of  the  vol- 
ume. Its  clearness  and  brevity  make  it  an  admir- 
able hand-book  for  a  busy  president. 
Sincerely  yours, 

J.  W.   BASHFORD,   Pres't. 


St.  LOuis,  Michigan. 
Please  send  me  one  copy  of  your  Compendium 
and  Question  Book  on  Parliamentary  Law.  Your 
treatise  on  parliamentary  law  first  came  to  my 
notice  something  over  a  year  ago,  and  I  consider 
it  the  most  simple,  clear  and  concise  question  book 
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have  been  engaged  in  my  work. 
Sincerely  yours, 

FRANCES  E.   BURNS, 
Great  Commander  Ladies  of  the  Maccabees. 


Haines'  Falls,  N.  Y. 
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any  one  who  is  presiding. 

Sincerely  your  friend, 

FRANCES  ;E3.   WILLARD. 


Chicago,  Illinois. 
In  Milwaukee.  Wisconsin,  May,  1900  —  At  the 
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tional Auxiliary  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive 
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to  all  societies.  MRS.  W.  A.  MURDOCK, 

Grand  President. 


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